Teach at a School in a Village

location
4 - 24 weeks  ·  Age 18 - 50+

rating  Perfect 4.6  · 
  Verified by Volunteer World
  Very high response rate

Highlights

  • Fantastic program location close to dream beaches
  • Immerse yourself in the relaxed "Tico way of life," as the locals affectionately call themselves
  • Explore amazing landscapes, national parks, nature reserve and beaches during your free time

Highlights

  • Fantastic program location close to dream beaches
  • Immerse yourself in the relaxed "Tico way of life," as the locals affectionately call themselves
  • Explore amazing landscapes, national parks, nature reserve and beaches during your free time
  • Ignite your passion for cultures and countries beyond your own. You'll gain invaluable insights into the world's rich tapestry, nurturing your curiosity for international diversity.
  • Elevate your resume with international volunteer experience that showcases your commitment to positive change and adaptability to different environments.


  • Especially good for

    Age 18+
    Singles
    Couples
    50+

    About the program

    Assist teachers during class, prepare learning materials, and plan school activities. Enjoy the amazing program location close to dream beaches at the Pacific Coast.

    Volunteers are placed in schools in villages at Costa Rica’s beautiful Pacific coast. The schools are typically very small, and usually only have around 15-30 students. There are some larger schools, however, with up to 150 students. Most of the schools you will work at only have 1-3 teachers and ...

    About the program

    Volunteers are placed in schools in villages at Costa Rica’s beautiful Pacific coast. The schools are typically very small, and usually only have around 15-30 students. There are some larger schools, however, with up to 150 students. Most of the schools you will work at only have 1-3 teachers and are for children between the ages of 6-12. The main subjects taught are math, Spanish, science and social studies. But also other subjects, like sports, art, music, dance, and theatre may be taught and are very popular with the children. Some schools also teach English, as it is becoming more important in Costa Rica. 

    Volunteers assist the teacher during class and help supervise the children. Extra classes that are taught by volunteers typically happen outside of mandatory school hours for children, so sizes of the classes may vary and require your creativity. 

    Since English is becoming increasingly important in Costa Rica, there is large interest in teaching English from young age on. 


    Typical day

    Volunteering in a Costa Rican school comes with a large portion of responsibility because you will be a role model to the students.

    There will be a volunteer coordinator who will help guide you through the activities according to the interests of the children, something that has worked well in the ...

    Typical day

    Volunteering in a Costa Rican school comes with a large portion of responsibility because you will be a role model to the students.

    There will be a volunteer coordinator who will help guide you through the activities according to the interests of the children, something that has worked well in the past. Even though there will be someone to help you, you should be able to plan and coordinate on your own with energy and creativity. Staying in close contact with teachers and parents is highly recommended so that you can gain as much knowledge as possible from your trip. 

    While you are working in one of the schools, your tasks may include: 

    • 2-4 hours per day of childcare, usually in the afternoon, but also some mornings
    • Preparing and carrying out English workshops 
    • Organizing sports and arts activities
    • Supporting teachers during classes
    • Administrative tasks at school 
    • Daily operational tasks at school
    • Maintaining, preparing, and supplementing teaching materials
    • Preparing and implementing school events
    • Participating in the recycling projects
    • Helping with playground construction and painting
    At some schools you can volunteer to assist the teacher in class during the morning hours between approx. 7:30 am to noon. However, at some schools volunteers mainly carry out projects with the children outside of regular school hours in the afternoons between 2 pm and 6 pm.

    Prepare yourself for the most sparse material equipment in schools. So you are challenged in terms of creativity and a talent for improvisation in order to make interesting offers for the children with few resources.

    You should enjoy working independently, have a good level of self-confidence, be curious, open-minded, communicative and cooperative and have the desire to make a difference.

    Note: The tasks may vary. They depend on factors such as number of volunteers, weather, season, current needs of the project, as well as self-motivation. Not every volunteer may be fully involved in all these tasks.


    Free-time activities

    Due to the project’s location on the Pacific coast of Costa Rica, there are breathtaking views to enjoy, warm temperatures, and beautiful beaches. There are also water sports available, such as swimming, snorkel, SUP and surfing.

    Weekends are the perfect time to enjoy an exciting hike through ...

    Free-time activities

    Due to the project’s location on the Pacific coast of Costa Rica, there are breathtaking views to enjoy, warm temperatures, and beautiful beaches. There are also water sports available, such as swimming, snorkel, SUP and surfing.

    Weekends are the perfect time to enjoy an exciting hike through Costa Rican nature since the main attractions of Costa Rica is its system of national parks and protected areas, which cover around 25% of the national territory, in order to protect the rich variety of flora and fauna, which is estimated to contain 5% of the world's biodiversity in less than 0.1% of the planet's land mass.

    Costa Rica is the perfect place to combine volunteer work with tourism, enjoy activities like:

    - Adventure sport
    - Dream beaches
    - Ecotourism
    - Local culture
    - Bird / wildlife watching
    - Visits to unique National Parks
    - Rural tourism


    Requirements

    Requirements

    Minimum Age: 18 years

    In order to join the program you need to be at least 18 years old on the program start date. There might be exemptions if you can provide the permission of your legal guardian(s) or if your are accompanied by your parents.

    Language Skills

    You need to speak Spanish (intermediate level) or English (intermediate level)

    Education Requirements

    at High School level

    Criminal Background Check

    required

    Required Documents

    CV and Volunteer Questionnaire

    Nationality Restrictions

    No restrictions. Helping hands from all over the world are welcome.

    Time Commitment

    Your helping hand will be required on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday

    What's Included

    What's Included

    Services by South America Inside

    • Single room in local homestay
    • Breakfast, lunch, dinner
    • Advice from our experienced staff
    • On-going support via WhatsApp, phone or mail
    • Elaboration of your application profile in Spanish
    • Your placement in the volunteer project
    • Pre-departure information
    • Packing list
    • Country handbook
    • Intercultural guide
    • On-site volunteer coordinator
    • 24/7 emergency number
    • Advice on travel insurance
    • Certificate of participation

                                      NOTE: ALWAYS FULL WEEKS ARE CHARGED!

                                    Accommodation

                                    An important part of our volunteer programs has always been to provide an intense glimpse into the culture of the host country. Therefore, our volunteers live in homestays. Living with a local hosts will allow you to experience the country in the most authentic way possible. You can immerse into local customs, taste typical meals, and experience the culture and traditions first-hand. You will quickly realize how much your Spanish skills improve each day. Our homestays are carefully screened and selected, and many hosts have years of experience with our international volunteers.

                                    You will be provided with a single room in a local homestay. An important aspect of our school project in Costa Rica is providing a bilateral exchange with the local culture. In most cases, the host lives in the same village where the school is located, or nearby and easily reachable. 

                                    Food & Beverages

                                    Full-board is provided (breakfast, lunch, dinner). The local cuisine is based on rice, beans, vegetables, meat, and fruits.

                                    Internet Access

                                    Good access at the project site

                                    What's NOT included?

                                    What's NOT included?

                                    Airport Pickup at Juan Santamaria International Airport

                                    An airport pickup isn't included within the program fees either.

                                    Flight Tickets

                                    The nearest airport is Juan Santamaria International Airport (SJO) in San Jose. We assist you to find cheap flights to Costa Rica. FIND CHEAP FLIGHTS

                                    Travel Insurance

                                    Going abroad is an adventure and it is always best to be prepared. Sudden illness or injury, cancellation or theft - a travel insurance for Costa Rica provides security and is a plus to have. GET A QUOTE

                                    Vaccines

                                    If you are intending to volunteer in Costa Rica you should seek medical advice before starting your social journey. Check your required vaccinations for Costa Rica. VACCINE CHECKER

                                    Details on arrival

                                    The volunteer work can be joined throughout the year (except between December and March). The start and end date can be set flexible, according to your availability and travel plans. Ask our experienced staff to coordinate your participation in this meaningful volunteer project.

                                    Availability
                                    Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec

                                    Program fees

                                    4 weeks (min. stay) 1,726€
                                    5 weeks 1,955€
                                    6 weeks 2,185€
                                    7 weeks 2,414€
                                    8 weeks 2,643€
                                    9 weeks 2,873€
                                    10 weeks 3,102€
                                    11 weeks 3,332€
                                    12 weeks 3,561€
                                    24 weeks (max. stay) 6,314€
                                    Average fees 347€/week

                                    Program fees

                                    347€ per week 4 - 24 weeks Age 18 - 50+

                                    Payment methods

                                    Visa Master Card Maestro American Express PayPal

                                    NO CREDIT CARD FEES


                                    Duration

                                    4 - 24 weeks

                                    Deposit

                                    The deposit is simply to reserve your volunteer placement. Payments are handled by PayPal, our trusted global payment provider. If you don't have a PayPal account, you can also pay using a credit card.


                                    Final Payment

                                    Your final payment will be agreed with South America Inside during the application process. Common solutions are either via bank transfer or a cash payment at the project site.


                                    Meet your organization

                                    South America Inside

                                    Perfect 4.6 rating (128 reviews)

                                    Agency - founded in 2003

                                    Verified by Volunteer World

                                      Very high response rate

                                    Coordinated by

                                    Marion

                                    Spoken languages: English, German, Spanish

                                    About the project

                                    South America Inside promotes intercultural, linguistic and educational exchanges. Its volunteer programs are addressed to students, professionals and retirees.

                                    Meet your organization

                                    South America Inside is an intercultural management agency, founded back in 2003, which specializes in the promotion of programs abroad, language travel and educational programs throughout Latin America.

                                    Since 2007, to enrich the experience of our global-minded clients and to provide them with even more possibilities, South America Inside has been expanding their program offerings throughout South and Central America.

                                    Working together with some of the best language schools in Latin America, South America Inside provides high quality language courses in almost every Latin American country.

                                    Thanks to a professional team of motivated and friendly staff, South America Inside has been very successful over the past several years and have been able to establish an outstanding network of what we call "Insider Contacts." To enrich the experience of their clients and to provide them with more possibilities, South America Inside has been expanding our program offerings throughout Central and South America, in addition to our well-established Chilean programs.

                                    Volunteer Work

                                    Do you dream of staying abroad while doing something positive? Are you looking for a unique experience that will leave a mark on your life? Then a Volunteer Work program in South America or Central America is perfect for you!

                                    With South America Inside you can combine an adventure abroad with social commitment, and create lasting memories in Latin America. Support the protection of endangered species; help a local community construct new homes; give new hope to impoverished children.

                                    The possibilities to lend a hand are diverse, as there are the many places where help is needed. We have classified our volunteer projects in different areas so you can easily find the one (or more!) projects that best match your needs and interests.

                                    Why with us

                                    There are many persuasive reasons that speak in favor of South America Inside when it comes to selecting your perfect provider of language, study and volunteer travel abroad. Following, we have prepared a short summary so that you can get us to know a little better.

                                    Our Insider benefits at a glance:

                                      Regional Experience
                                    Over one decade (established in 2003) of dedication to language, work and study travel programs in Latin America. Thanks to our long standing work and life experience in the South American continent, we know this region really well. Therefore, we can help and inform you in a professional and competent way.

                                      Multifaceted Offers
                                    Over time we have developed new programs to offer a wide array of work abroad opportunities to our clients. We have been pioneers in launching new exchange programs, as we have been the first in offering Work & Travel/Working Holiday and Farm Stays in Chile and successfully introduced these programs into the market back in 2005. Since 2012, we are the only agency to offer this type of program in Costa Rica.

                                      Insider Advice
                                    Despite living in the modern era of the internet, we know that reliable and competent advice is still an important criterion for most of us. At South America Inside, you will find the benefits of an internet provider and an independent travel agency. We will be glad to pass on our extensive knowledge and regional experience.!

                                      Location
                                    It is difficult to run programs when there is nobody “on the ground” to evaluate existing options and search for new opportunities. So, we are located in Chile, on location, and we know everything that is going on first hand. We know what it is like to live as a foreigner in South America and will be happy to assist you in making your stay unforgettable!

                                      Independence
                                    South America Inside is an independent provider of language courses, internships, volunteer work, Farm Stays and Work & Travel programs in Latin America. We neither depend financially nor structurally on any other company, language school, association or organization. Therefore, we are able to give personalized information in accordance to your needs and availability.

                                    •  Multilingual Team

                                    Our team is multilingual and international! We speak fluent English, Spanish and German, as well as some French and Portuguese. With our customers, we can communicate in their native language and we avoid misunderstandings with local partners by communicating in Spanish with them. You can be sure that there will be an English-speaking contact person for you before, during, and after your stay.

                                      Customer Service
                                    Excellent customer service is one of the most important goals for South America Inside, and this is evident with the positive feedback we regularly receive from our many happy clients. Emails are answered within 48 business hours and every client is treated with the same friendliness and expertise.

                                      Gapless and Accurate Information flow
                                    With South America Inside you will have one and the same contact person before, during and after your trip. With that said, we guarantee a gapless and accurate information flow and you will always be very well informed.

                                      Approved Program Places
                                    Many of our program places, especially in the area of internships and volunteer work, are designed in the way that they will be recognized by most universities, colleges or academies.

                                    128 reviews · rating4.6

                                    Sofia A. rating5

                                    2024 at Teach at a School in a Village

                                    I’m very good! Yes everything worked out fine and I love it here. Everyone is soo nice, the family is great and the kids at school are so adored and friendly.☺️ It’s also very fun that I’m leaving with a girl in my age from Germany who also volunteers at the school. We have also met a ...
                                    Regina H. rating5

                                    2023 at Teach at a School in a Village

                                    Bin gut am Zielort angekommen und mein Gastfamilie ist top. Es sind sehr herzliche angenehme Menschen und der Wohnort ist perfekt für mich, weil sowohl Schule als auch Strand so nah ...
                                    Regina H. rating5

                                    2023 at Teach at a School in a Village

                                    Bin gut am Zielort angekommen und mein Gastfamilie ist top. Es sind sehr herzliche angenehme Menschen und der Wohnort ist perfekt für mich, weil sowohl Schule als auch Strand so nah sind. Liebe Grüße, Regina *** english *** I arrived well at my destination and my host family is top. They ...
                                    Regina N. rating5

                                    2024 at Help Stray Dogs

                                    Die Arbeit gefällt mir sehr gut! Ich bin super reingekommen und fühle mich sehr wohl 🙂 Die Menschen sind sehr offen und freundlich! Herzlichen Dank! ...
                                    Stacey Garratt rating5

                                    2024 at Local Women Empowerment Supporter

                                    I have been travelling for 7 months in total and just had the most wonderful experience in Ecuador. I can confidently say in the last 6 weeks I have created my favourite memories of this journey in an all-encompassing way. Firstly, the program itself was incredible, I constantly felt supported, ...
                                    Alex S. rating5

                                    2024 at Help Stray Dogs

                                    Mir geht’s prima. War ein langer Tag, bin daher auch gut kaputt 🙂 Sowohl Spanischkurs als auch die Arbeit im Tierheim machen sehr viel Spaß! Ich muss zwar all das bisschen, was ich an Spanisch kann, zusammenkratzen, um durch den Tag zu kommen, aber das wird sicherlich besser mit der Zeit ...

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                                    English, German, Spanish

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